大般涅槃經集解 9.58

9.58

Daosheng comments: Taking the lifespan of the common people as his lifespan, when the spiritual resonance occurs [the life] must issue forth. Its issuing forth is necessarily inexhaustible, like ponds and lakes. Fayao says: This explains that the lifespans of humans and gods are all obtained through the Buddha's conversion; hence it is said that all lives issue forth from the Tathāgata's lifespan. Sengzong says: The previous simile illustrated entering; this simile illustrates issuing forth. The Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra states: 'All gods, humans, great kṣatriya families, and even householders, all are converted by bodhisattvas.' This explains that at the time of the causal stage, [the bodhisattva] bestows all lives, and the merit of conversion must return to the master of conversion; therefore, upon reaching Buddhahood, it is eternal.